Plainfield Central lineman's films fire up recruiters

Home-state schools are jumping into the mix for Plainfield Central offensive lineman Perry Dorrestein, but whether they're too late remains to be seen.

Dorrestein received a scholarship offer from Illinois within the last two weeks, according to coach John Jackson, and Northwestern continues to stay in touch. But the 6-foot-7-inch, 285-pounder already has an official visit to Nebraska in the books and plans one for Michigan, which has also extended a scholarship offer.

Not to mention that Iowa State, Duke and Cincinnati also have offered Dorrestein along with just about every Mid-American Conference program. Amazing what a senior tape can do for linemen, who don't have stat sheets available for a college's quick reference.

"Once [they saw] the films, the improvement they saw in him, that's when it started to fall into place," Jackson said.

Waiting game

Some players have to grab what they can when they can. Others, like Naperville North's Osahon Tongo and North Chicago's Kevin Green, can afford to be more deliberate.

To wit: After making an official visit to Boston College a few weeks back, coaches informed the player and Huskies coach Larry McKeon that they'd wait for him, no matter what. Tongo is planning an official visit to Georgia Tech in the next couple of weeks and then will choose among the likes of Illinois, Kansas, Stanford and Indiana for the remaining three.

Meanwhile, Green has stockpiled 16 offers but is continuing the narrowing process.

North Chicago coach Mike Grenda said Iowa and Purdue are at the top thanks to good visits Green had, and Northwestern could figure into the mix, but the process remains open-ended.

The end of the season for Thornton lineman Craig Wilson (6-5, 290) might bring about more action. Wilson's only offer thus far is from Illinois, according to coach Bill Mosel, and he doesn't have any visits scheduled yet. Wilson is also in the "talking" stages with Connecticut, Indiana, Kansas and Northern Illinois.

On the rise

The fastest-rising recruits in the Chicago area are offensive lineman Jan Gewont of Stagg, defensive ends Bailey Johnson of Homewood-Flossmoor and Corbin Bryant of Morgan Park and Cary-Grove defensive back Alex Kube.

"Gewont had no offers coming into the season and now has six, including New Mexico, New Mexico State and Connecticut," Tim O'Halloran of rivals.com said. "Bryant is a basketball player in his first year of high school football. NIU has made an offer, where he could join former Morgan Park teammates Phillip Brown and Melvin Rice. Johnson will visit Minnesota next weekend, NIU on Dec. 2 and Iowa State on Dec. 16. Kube is being recruited heavily by NIU and has been invited for official visits by Illinois, Michigan State and Purdue."

Running back Mitchell Moore of Warren said he will visit Purdue next weekend, Illinois on Dec. 2 and Iowa State on Dec. 16. Iowa State and Ohio have made offers, but Illinois and Purdue are making a late push and could make offers during Moore's visits.

On the hardcourt

After Dayton backed off on its scholarship offer, St. Joseph guard Jonathan Peoples has decided to wait until the spring signing period to make his college choice.

According to St. Joe's coach Gene Pingatore, Dayton received a commitment from another recruit and pulled away from Peoples. Pingatore said Northern Illinois, Southern California, Seton Hall and Tulane are pursuing Peoples. He also took an unofficial visit to Illinois last weekend. Wednesday is the opening of the early signing period.

"Recruiting is a strange business," Pingatore said. "Last year Tony Freeman (now at Iowa) was being heavily recruited by Notre Dame, Marquette and Louisville--and all three ended up taking someone else."

Western Michigan is pushing for an oral commitment from Von Steuben's 6-foot-3-inch Jeremie Simmons, but the Panthers standout isn't ready to make a decision. Lincoln Park junior guard Michael Thompson has five offers from midmajor schools, including Bradley and Illinois State. Lincoln Park coach Tom Livatino believes Thompson and 6-5 junior Jonathan Montgomery will be high-major recruits by next season.

Heading west

Hales Franciscan's Javale McGee has verbally committed to play at Nevada. He also received interest from San Francisco, Northwestern, Marquette and DePaul, Hales coach Gary London said.

London said the 6-10 forward's natural position in Division I will be small forward, but he could play power forward.